Penrith based community radio station Eden FM says “It has nothing to prove”, as it applies to Ofcom for a significant reduction in the station’s commitment to original and local programming with a weekly reduction of roughly 42% to its original output and a per day locally produced output reduction of about 31%.
Community radio stations like Eden FM are granted a broadcast licence that includes key commitments made by the station, but they may apply to Ofcom to have the station’s Key Commitments amended during the 5 year licence term the stations operate under.
The Eden FM original commitments included that the community radio station would provide original output for a minimum of 55 hours per week and provides locally-produced output for a minimum of 13 hours per day.
The new key commitments requested by Eden FM in its application to the regulator Ofcom were to provide original output for a minimum of 32 hours across a week and provide locally-produced output for a minimum of 9 hours per day.
The station told Ofcom “Since COVID, aligned with national trends our volunteer numbers have drop and recruit is hard.”
“Our transmission covers sparsely populated areas and our infrastructure is struggling due to public transport cuts week days with zero public transport at weekends. So we limited transport to the studio. We have some locally based remote access presenters.”
“Whilst projects for better connectivity in internet have started much of the towns systems are dated and areas around it are also with limited by bandwidth.”
“There is enough evidence, in print, online and in the archives of EFM’s team and determination since it set out as a project in 2010. It has nothing to prove, but it needs to create that time to re-generate, re-evaluate and re-establish itself for the renewal of its 3rd five year term of Community radio licensing, which will need to based on these suggested changes to its commitments.”
In response to the application Ofcom said, “The request was agreed, because Ofcom was satisfied that the changes would not substantially alter the character of the service.”
“The Licensee has requested to reduce its original output requirement from a minimum of 55 hours per week to a minimum of 32 hours per week, a reduction of roughly 42%.”
“We recognise that this is a significant reduction in the original output requirement for the station. However, we are satisfied that this will not lead to a substantial change in the character of the service. “
“We recognise the difficulties faced by the Licensee in recruiting volunteers and ensuring that they have access to the service, and are willing to approve this change in light of the situation outlined by the Licensee.”
“Similarly, the Licensee has requested to reduce its locally-produced output requirement from 13 hours per day to 9 hours per day, a reduction of about 31%. Again, this is a relatively significant reduction, but we recognise that the Licensee is requesting this in order to incorporate more remote broadcasts from volunteers outside of its coverage area, citing difficulties in access to its studio.”
“We consider that the Licensee will continue to provide a service within the characteristics of community radio, and that the changes will not hinder the station’s ability to focus on its target community. We have therefore decided to exercise our discretion and approve these changes.”
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